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Strikeforce shuttered its mixed martial arts (MMA) operation forever this past Saturday night (Jan. 12, 2013) with the conclusion of : "Marquardt vs Saffiedine," which took place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., featuring a Welterweight showdown between division champion Nate Marquardt and Tarec Saffiedine in the main event of the evening.
Not many gave Saffiedine much of a chance to topple the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran; however, the "Sponge" pulled off the upset, pounding the lead leg of "The Great" (see what it looks like here) en route to a unanimous decision victory.
The co-main event showcased the promotion's Heavyweight Grand Prix winner, Daniel Cormier, keeping his perfect record (11-0) intact with a total tooling of the game -- albeit ridiculously outclassed -- Dion Staring. "DC," who will soon join the UFC ranks like many of his other talented Strikeforce peers, then proceeded to call out Frank Mir and tell Jon Jones that he was going to "kick his ass."
Good stuff.
The other three main card bouts on Showtime were equally lopsided, with Josh Barnett, Gegard Mousasi and Ronaldo Souza all picking up quick submission finishes. "Dream Catcher" and "Jacare" punched their UFC tickets with the slick stoppages; however, the fight future isn't as certain for "War Master."
In cased you missed any or all of it -- or just want to keep the discussion alive -- below are links to all the major storylines borne from Saturday night's event in Oklahoma City.
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Strikeforce: "Marquardt vs Saffiedine" Coverage
Strikeforce: "Marquardt vs Saffiedine" results and live fight coverage
Fight night photos gallery for ‘Marquardt vs Saffiedine' in Oklahoma City
19 post-event facts about ‘Marquardt vs. Saffiedine' in Oklahoma City
Strikeforce: "Marquardt vs Saffiedine" full fight video highlights (Showtime main card)
Recap: Tarec Saffiedine shocks Nate Marquardt on Showtime with upset decision win
Recap: Daniel Cormier dominates Dion Staring in Oklahoma homecoming
Recap: Josh Barnett chokes out Nandor Guelmino in two minutes
Recap: Gegard Mousasi batters and then submits Mike Kyle on Showtime
Recap: Ronaldo Souza submits Ed Herman with a kimura in round one on Showtime
Fight review: Tarec Saffiedine vs Nate Marquardt
Fight review: Daniel Cormier vs Dion Staring fight review and analysis
Fight review: Josh Barnett vs Nandor Guelmino
Fight review: Gegard Mousasi vs Mike Kyle
Fight review: Ronaldo Souza vs Ed Herman
Strikeforce: "Marquardt vs Saffiedine" Post-Event Fallout
Video: Strikeforce Founder and CEO Scott Coker reflects on the organization's final show
Nate Marquardt posts badly bruised leg pic hours after loss to Tarec Saffiedine
See a .gif of how Nate Marquardt's leg got so badly bruised
Biggest winners, losers from ‘Marquardt vs. Saffiedine' in Oklahoma City
Strikeforce's top five best (and worst) all-time MMA moments
Pat Healy says UFC move ‘a done deal,' wants to ‘mix it up' with Joe Lauzon
Steven Seagal looks forward to 'working with' his 'friend' Daniel 'Sleeper' Cormier in 2013
Video: Strikeforce's Josh Barnett thought last night 'was a good day to die'
Strikeforce is finally finished and I couldn't be happier
Mike Kyle to retire from MMA following defeat to Gegard Mousasi
Pic: Dana White Tweets about poor judging in Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons fight
That, my friends, should be enough to keep you talking -- at least for the time being. What gets your vote for the biggest story coming out of Strikeforce: "Marquardt vs Saffiedine"?
Sound off, Maniacs, because this is your last stab at Strikeforce.
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